Katniss Everdeen ultimately chose to assassinate President Coin instead of President Snow for a combination of reasons:
- Belief that Coin was responsible for Prim’s death: Katniss suspects, and Snow confirms, that Coin orchestrated the bombing that killed Prim and other rebel medics, including children. This act, meant to frame Snow and garner Capitol support, was a devastating blow to Katniss, who had always prioritized Prim’s safety.
- Realization that Coin was as tyrannical as Snow: Coin’s proposal to hold a symbolic Hunger Games with Capitol children as a form of “justice” mirrors Snow’s ruthless methods and demonstrates her thirst for power and revenge. Katniss recognizes that Coin, like Snow, would perpetuate a cycle of violence and oppression, [according to SparkNotes].
- Desire to break the cycle of tyranny: Katniss’s initial motivation for joining the rebellion was to end the Hunger Games and the Capitol’s oppressive rule. Seeing Coin’s plans to continue the games, albeit with different participants, convinces Katniss that Coin would be no better than Snow, and that assassinating Coin is the only way to ensure a truly free Panem, [according to Quora].
- Snow’s imminent demise: Snow was already dying from an illness, making his assassination less impactful in the long term compared to removing Coin, who was poised to take over as the new leader.
In essence, Katniss saw President Coin as a new tyrant in the making, no different from President Snow, and believed that eliminating her was crucial to achieving true freedom for Panem.
Was Coin just as bad as Snow?
Coin is worse bc at least Snow was an outright murderous AH whereas Coin tried to get power by being a “savior” but was would destroy you the second you angered her or had no use for you.
Did Coin kill Prim on purpose?
Great question! Katniss speculates that Coin deliberately sent Prim to die in the Capitol bombing in order to fully gain her trust, but it’s never outright confirmed or denied.
Why doesn’t Snow just kill Katniss?
Good point! Katniss had already become a symbol for rebels to rally around. If Snow lets her Mother and Prim live, he feels like he has a bit more control over her. He is hoping to contain the spark that she and Peeta started. If he killed them right away, he wouldn’t have as much leverage over Katniss.